Easy Enchilada Sauce

As summer draws to a close, food prep changes to match the season. During autumn I think of corn, beans, cilantro, and a bit more spice. Here's a recipe for enchilada sauce that our family loves! It is easy to make and really does kick things up in the kitchen!

Easy Enchilada Sauce

3 Tablespoons olive oil

1 Tablespoon cornstarch

1/4 cup chili powder

2 cups vegan chicken-style broth

10 ounces tomato paste

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil. Then, add cornstarch and stir with a wooden spoon. Cook for 1 minute. Add chilli powder and cook 30 seconds. Add broth, tomato paste, oregano, and cumin. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook 15 minutes. The sauce will thicken and smooth out. Adjust seasonings, adding salt if needed.

To make vegan chicken-style seasoning, mix 1 cup of water with 2 Tbsp. Bill's Best Chicknish' or McKay's Chicken Style Seasoning.

Falafels

Falafels are a type of fritter, croquette, or bean patty. You can call it whichever you like. They are a savory ball of bean goodness made from garbanzos or fava beans that's usually deep-fat fried. As usual, I'm usually on a mission to make things healthier, so have come up with a baked version instead. It might be missing some of the deep-fried flavor that generally appeals to those who like french fries, onion rings, or tater tots, but be brave and give these a try. Without the flavor of deep-fry a desirable freshness and nuttiness is evident. Placed in a whole grain pita pocked and stuffed with a fresh, green salad and ranch sauce or tahini dressing, it is a one-dish meal that you can hold in the palm of your hand! Filling, easy to pack for a picnic, and delicious --- I think you'll love it!

Falafels

2 cups soaked garbanzos (cooked)
1/2 cup cold water
1 clove garlic
2 Tbsp. parsley
1/4 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. salt
1 cup savory crumbs OR 1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs OR gluten-free bread crumbs
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 Tbsp. oil
2 drops butter flavoring

Measure 1 1/3 cup chopped garbanzos and place in bowl. Measure 2/3cup garbanzos, add water, and put with chopped garbanzos. Chop garlic. Add seasoning and mix. Mix bread crumbs, yeast, oil, and butter flavoring in small bowl. Form patties and roll in bread mix. Place patties on baking pan and cover with foil. Bake at 350 degreesfor 30 minutes. Serve in pita bread (or gluten free alternative).

Spicy Vegetable Curry

2 c. potatoes, cubed
1 c. cauliflower florets
1 large onion, slivered
1 c. carrots, peeled and sliced
1 medium eggplant
4 Tbsp. oil
2 - 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
one 2-inch piece ginger, finely minced
2 Tbsp. green chilies
1 Tbsp. paprika
1 tsp. ground coriander
1 Tbsp. ground cumin
2-3 Tbsp. curry powder
1 1/2 c. vegetable stock
3 c. canned tomatoes, chopped
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
2/3 c. coconut milk
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper 
salt to taste

1. Heat oil in a large skillet. Add onion, potato and cauliflower and cook gently for 3 - 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the garlic, green chilies, ginger and spices. Cook and stir for 1 minute.

2. Add stock, tomatoes, and eggplant and season with salt. Cover and simmer gently for about 30 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.

3. Mix cornstarch and cold coconut milk together until smooth and stir into mixture. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve hot with Basmati or Saffron steamed rice.

Yield: 18 half-cup servings

Little Bavaria

Signs of spring are slowly showing up in some places.  Daffodils are blooming along the coastal range, and reports of Thundercloud Plums flowering in Seattle have been heard.  In less mild climates, tulip and daffodil shoots are poking through the earth.  But, in many places, winter is still very evident.  A small town on the eastern slope of the Cascade mountain range is still very much in winter mode.  Traces of snow and chilly temperatures greet visitors to Leavenworth.  Although signs of spring are not yet seen, there is evidence of gladness everywhere!  Christmas lights still twinkle and sparkle, adding a golden glow both night and day.  So cheerful, there's no need to take them down for the Valentine holiday!  Instead, a layer of sweetheart decorations are added on top of the Christmas decor, making for an interesting mix of both holidays.  The result really is quaint and jaunty.  Little shops provide much to see for the window shoppers who walk along the streets.  European gifts and treasures meld with handcrafted items made by local artisans.  And the food!  Restaurant menus, posted behind windowed boxes that are  placed by front entrances, reveal German dishes of all sorts!  Bakery windows are dressed with cheer, calling passersby to enter in and sample sweet and savory baked goods.  An old hotel and motels adorned with gingerbread fru-fru provide places to rest and revive, making this an ideal place for winter sport enthusiasts in season.  The inviting warmth of Leavenworth during the chilly months of February and March helps one retain a bit of buoyancy of spirit when spring seems to be taking too long to arrive.

 

Mexican Soup

There's nothing nicer on a very chilly evening than a steaming bowl of soup.  This recipe is quick and easy.  It uses ingredients that are simple to find in the winter.  And best of all, it's delicious!  What's for supper at your house?

Mexican Soup

2 cups cooked pinto beans
4 cups canned tomatoes (blended slightly)
2 cups whole kernel corn
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, diced
1/2 cup black olives, sliced
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 package (1 1/4 oz.) Taco Seasoning
1 small can green chilies (optional)

In a large saucepan, mix everything all together and cook over medium high heat until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.

*For variety, toss in a handful of corn chips, taco chips, or bits of tortilla's! Yum! Another option is to add rice to the soup. Garnish liberally with cilantro!